Galliano's Egyptian soul

The return of Cleopatra

I will never get tired of writing about John Galliano's collections because they are truly beautiful and inspiring. While watching his shows, I noticed that Galliano must particularly loves Egypt's story. He indeed presented a collection in 1997 named "The return of Cleopatra" in which models such as Naomi Campbell participated. The beginning of the collection is rather modern, kind of old school - only the hairstyle can remind us of Cleopatra. But as we go along the show, the outfits become much more traditional. We gradually enter the Egyptian world. Mini skirts, jackets and hats are replaced by long golden dresses and lots of jewels. Galliano knows how to bring us little by little in his Egyptian fantasy, without imposing it brutally to us.

Engraving of Cleopatra

Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra

Egyptian collection

The spring summer 2014 Dior collection was also inspired by Egypt - the egyptian mythology more than its famous queen. Galliano presented this collection after a trip to the country. It's a model dressed as a pharaoh who opens the show. She's all dressed in gold, wears pastiche - beard - and a headdress that can remind of Neferiti's. A totally Egyptian look that gives us already the shade of the show. I find the make up and especially the accessories very interesting, for they truly represent the Egyptian mythology. It is history in fashion. Some Egyptian Gods are also frequently represented: we can find Isis - goddess of health, marriage and love; Anubis - god of the dead; and more. The uraeus - cobra - which is an Egyptian symbol, also appeared a couple of times in the collection.

This show is the contrary of the first one: it starts heavily with a lot of references to Egypt, and finishes huge dresses and amazing make-up that don't remind us that much of the country and its stories. Yet the extravagance of the outfits are not gone and we can appreciate Galliano's designs until the end.